Feel the timeless peace of a landscape full of animals and very few people. Wake to the manic calls of flying-foxes and cockatoos, look out across a billabong filled with water-lilies, walk on rocks created 600 million years ago.

Wild Top End wildlife tour of the Northern Territory is a special journey created for curious adventurers who love wild places and wild creatures.

Get to know Kakadu and Mary River National Parks including some of the lesser-known walks and rock art sites. Learn about Top End wildlife on this tour, and help protect them.

Dependent on age – please enquire

DATES

Our Wild Top End 6 day wildlife tours only run on the set dates shown, although for private parties we can arrange other dates around July, August & September. If you wish to travel to this magnificent region at other times we highly recommend Lord’s Kakadu & Arnhemland Safaris.

DETAILS

Duration: 6 days, 5 nights

Grade/Difficulty: Easy to Moderate – for anyone who is reasonably active

Tour starts: Darwin city early morning on Day 1. Returns: to Darwin city mid afternoon Day 6 (may connect with some outbound flights)

Minimum pax: 4 adults Maximum pax: 10 adults

INCLUSIONS

Tour Leader: your guide will be one of our Level 4 (highest level) Echidna Walkabout Wildlife Guides who has also completed an intensive “Kakadu Knowledge for Tour Guides” course overseen by the Australian National Parks Service and by Local Aboriginal People.Includes: wildlife guidance throughout, 5 nights accommodation, all meals from lunch Day 1 to lunch Day 6, air conditioned transport, wetlands cruise on Mary River.

NOT included: alcoholic beverages, flights into and out of Darwin before and after the tour

Optional Add-on: Aboriginal guided boat cruise on the East Alligator River (see Day 3 for more information)

PRE-TOUR OPTIONS

FREE introduction to the Tropics

We offer a FREE introduction to Darwin and the Top End on the afternoon prior to your tour. You can also join us for dinner that evening. Please see your itinerary of Information Sheet for more details.

PLUS, if you are going to Darwin a few days before the tour, here’s a few things you can organise yourself…..

Sea Darwin arranges special afternoon/evening boat trips across Darwin Harbour to look at turtles nesting. This brilliant trip is run by a respected company and includes dinner. 5% of the cost of the trip goes to turtle research. To fit in with nesting cycles around high tides this trip runs according to lunar cycles ie. new moon and 5 days after. Sea Darwin also run other trips – check out their website for more information.

Deckchair Cinema There is nothing like going to the cinema under the stars and Darwin is a great place to do it. The wonderful thing about this place is that you can also have dinner and a drink at the cinema before the film. Highly recommended and lots of fun. You can book online.

Here are a few more things you can do in Darwin that are completely free:

Darwin started life as a remote colony and its early colonial buildings are wonderful. You can view the beautifully old Administration buildings (and some of the newer buildings) on a walk along the Esplanade on the south-eastern side of the city.

You can link the above idea up with a walk through Bicentennial Park. See this Google map

One of our favourite places in Darwin is the Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory located here. It has exceptional displays of Aboriginal culture and art and you can get a great overview of the natural history of the region.

Good walking shoes or boots that completely cover the feet (sandals are good to have but are not recommended for all walks), outdoor clothing to suit variable weather conditions (please check weather forecast for accurate predictions), sun hat, rainproof coat, insect repellent, 15+ sunscreen, small torch (flashlight), daypack and 1 litre re-usable water bottle. Camera and binoculars are recommended. As space is limited please keep luggage to 1 duffel bag OR 1 backpack OR 1 small suitcase per person.

Drinking Water: Tap water is completely safe and drinkable and available at both accommodations on this tour, and a large fresh storage is carried on board the vehicle each day. We recommend you bring a re-usable water bottle which we can refill during the day. If you don’t like to drink tap water we highly recommend you bring a filter to reduce plastic waste.

Our conservation action for this Northern Territory Top End wildlife tour is to record and submit all significant native animal sightings from this trip to online atlasses for the benefit of science, education and conservation. Tour guests are encouraged to participate whilst on the tour, by locating animals, photographing or mentioning them to the Wildlife Guide. We also encourage guests to submit their own sightings to eBird.org and ala.org.au

When you think of iconic wildlife of northern Australia, insects might be low down on your list. But when a huge traffic-light red dragonfly lands beside you on a water lily in a billabong, you may reconsider. Australia is quite rich in odonates (dragonflies &...

How would you like to walk on water? You can – by visiting the mangroves in Darwin, Northern Territory Australia. Have you ever watched fish swimming below you? Or heard kingfishers splash into the water beside you? In Australia’s Top End, you can – by visiting the...

Sometimes, if you know where to look, you can see wildlife in the most surprising places….. Like a scene from Mad Max, the wide red dirt road ends in a huge concrete ramp. The sun is hot, and the wind picks up dust from the road, coating everything with a rusty sheen....

Years ago we saw a deceased Rufous Owl while on tour in the Northern Territory. It was heartbreaking to see this magnificent large rainforest owl for the first time in that way. So it was with great excitement, and some nervousness, that we approached the waterfall in...

One of the highlights of visiting the tropics is seeing large numbers of butterflies. The butterflies of Kakadu and Mary River National Parks are big, laconic and colourful, and many are active when we visit in July, August & September - the dry season. Kakadu...

There are many places in Australia with great wildlife, and many wildlife and bird photographers. So creating satisfying wildlife photographs while you travel takes more than good equipment. Knowledge of the animals, patience and timing can create opportunities to...

Fogg Dam, One of Australia’s most famous birdwatching sites, is an hour’s drive from Darwin, the capital city of Australia’s Northern Territory. Written by Janine Duffy On our own, we are slow travellers. On our first wildlife watching trip to Fogg Dam, in the...

Ubirr Rock Art Site in Kakadu National Park is an excellent site to see beautiful little Wilkins' Rock-wallabies (Petrogale wilkinsi). They have become accustomed to seeing people walk by all day, so the wallabies go about their business without fear. Of course, most...

“Look up there, a friend is watching,” Aboriginal Guide Neville pointed high in the Arnhem Land Escarpment, in Australia’s Northern Territory. I’ll never forget those words. Casually, almost an afterthought, Neville showed me someone I had been waiting and working for...

Days 1 to 3

Days 4 to 6

Itinerary

Your Wild Top End Northern Territory wildlife tour departs from your accommodation in Darwin, taking 6 days to explore the wildlife and flora of Kakadu National Park, the tropical rivers of the Top End, and the grassy plains and billabongs of Mary River National Park. Tour returns to Darwin.

Darwin to Kakadu/Jabiru via Fogg Dam and Mamukala Wetlands

After an early pick up from your Darwin accommodation we’ll head eastwards into the tropical outback. The road from Darwin to Jabiru is sealed for its entire length and makes for very easy traveling. On the way we’ll stop at a number of beautiful locations including famous Fogg Dam (part of the Adelaide River floodplain) where we’ll take our first walk into a monsoon forest and view some of fantastic birdlife and wildlife of the Northern Territory. Then we’ll get on our way crossing a number of the huge rivers that drain the tropical wilderness including the Mary River where we might see our first crocodile. We enter Kakadu National Park and stop at Mamukala Wetland and take a walk to get our first taste of the tropical wonders of Kakadu. We’ll end the day in the small town of Jabiru and move into our accommodation. (staying here 3 nights).Accommodation: Anbinik Jabiru (tonight and 2 more nights = 3 nights total). Our price includes wonderful Double or Twin Share accommodation in Bush Bungalows with external bathrooms (private to you). You can upgrade to a private cabin (en-suite) – contact us for more information.Meals: Lunch and DinnerPotential wildlife sightings today: Fogg Dam and Mamukala Wetlands are famed for waterbirds including Brolga Crane, Glossy Ibis, Magpie Goose, Black-necked Stork (Jabiru), Wandering & Plumed Whistling-ducks, egrets, herons, pratincoles and many more including finches, herons, raptors & honeyeaters. We may see crocodiles, pythons, lizards, dragonflies and butterflies. Vegetation varies from savannah woodlands to monsoon rainforest and wetlands.

Nourlangie Kakadu

The Nourlangie region will be our first access to the magnificent Arnhem Land escarpment and its unique wildlife. It also helps us to understand the enormous importance of Kakadu to the Aboriginal People. Ancient sandstone ranges rise directly out of the Kakadu floodplains in a landscape that epitomises the Dreamtime in Australia. We’ll visit a number of places in this region including the Nanguluwur Rock Art site, Anbangbang Billabong and Nourlangie Rock Art site – this last site contains some of the most powerful Aboriginal paintings in Australia including a depiction of the Lightning Man. All the names in Kakadu rise from Aboriginal languages. You will begin to feel the incredible power of this landscape. After a picnic lunch we’ll head back Anbinik for a siesta (or a swim in the pool) during the heat of the afternoon before heading back out to the bush to watch the sunset over the Kakadu escarpment from Nawurlandja lookout. Twilight often heralds the flight of tens of thousands of fruit bats winging their way silently through the tropical dusk – an incredible sight. We then return to Jabiru for dinner Accommodation: Anbinik Jabiru Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Potential wildlife sightings on tour today: our walk to Nanguluwur early this morning can yield an incredible array of bush birds ranging from tiny finches to the large Red-tailed Black Cockatoo. Rare Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeons may come to drink at a small spring near the rock art site and we may see Partridge Pigeons and Red-winged Parrots. At Nourlangie we often see Emerald Doves and sometimes Sandsone Shrike-thrush. A highlight of this locaton may be the sighting of Black Wallaroos, a localised mid-size kangaroo unique to this region. Anbangbang Billabong is host to a myriad of waterbirds, many species of water lilies and Estuarine Crocodiles (in 2014 we watched a crocodile hunt and kill a pelican at this location). The fruit bat fly-out in the evening has to be seen to be believed.

Tropical Rivers

Many who visit Ubirr come away as different people. It is possibly the most beautiful place in Kakadu with some of the most compelling wilderness landscapes on earth. It has a presence that takes humans back to their beginnings. Nearby the tidal (saltwater) section of the East Alligator River bounds the vast Aboriginal lands of Arnhem Land – to go any further requires special permission. But on the Kakadu side there is a wide variety of activities to choose from including gentle walks near the river, views of elaborate Aboriginal Rock Art sites or a climb to the top of Ubirr Rock with its stunning views across Kakadu. We’ll also take the Bardedjilidji Sandstone walk which take us deep into some of Kakadu’s most remarkable geological formations where we learn how the Kakadu Escarpment was formed millions of years ago. During the heat of the day we’ll return to Jabiru followed by a rest then a refreshing swim in the pool before heading back out in the afternoon to the nearby Iligadjarr Wetlands for a walk in a tropical savannah woodland beside the freshwater floodplain of the South Alligator River. Accommodation: Anbinik Jabiru (last night here) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Potential wildlife sightings today: The Ubirr region is one of the few places where it is possible to see the dainty Short-eared Rock-wallaby. There are also occasional sightings of the Black Wallaroo. Estuarine Crocodiles are common in the East Alligator River and surrounding billabongs. Some special birds are the Blue-winged Kookaburra, Brolga, Pheasant Coucal and Peaceful Dove amongst many others. The Iligadjarr Wetlands are a total contrast to Ubirr and on a different river system. We walk through a tropical savannah woodland at the head of the South Alligator River floodplain. Water birds and raptors abound on the surrounding wetlands, Rainbow Bee-eaters hover overhead, Jabiru Storks (Black-necked storks) and Brolga Cranes are often seen with occasional sightings of water monitors, pythons and crocodiles (from a safe distance). This walk is often one of the wildlife highlights of our Kakadu trip. Optional tour today: Aboriginal guided boat tour out into the wilderness of the East Alligator River. This 2.5 hour tour is remarkable; it follows the river upstream beside brilliantly coloured sandstone escarpments and provides a full commentary by a local Aboriginal guide about the significance of Arnhem Land to Aboriginal People. The highlight of the trip is the opportunity to take a walk on the east side of the river onto Aboriginal land – normally this would require a special permit so this is a very special experience. The tour costs approximately $80 for an adult with discounts for children. For more information please check out Guluyambi Cultural Cruise.

Northern Territory Wildlife tour

Into the vast Mary River catchment: Jabiru to Point Stuart Wilderness Lodge.

Today we travel westward out of Kakadu to Point Stuart Wilderness Lodge beside Mary River National Park. Our route takes us firstly along the paved Kakadu Highway then onto the dirt roads heading north into Mary River National Park. On route we’ll stop at a number of special little places, visited by few, but very beautiful. We sometimes see Dingoes and the elusive Antilopine Kangaroo. We’ll finish up at Point Stuart Wilderness Lodge, check in, cool off in the pool, then take a peaceful walk through Jimmy Creek rainforest right beside the Lodge. Here you’ll see the huge nesting mounds of Orange-footed Scrub Fowl – a bird the size of a chicken that builds nests up to 3 metres high! The grounds of the Lodge abound with the beautiful little Agile Wallaby. Cockatoos and parrots of various species abound. Overnight at Point Stuart Wilderness Lodge (there is a swimming pool at the lodge and a saloon bar). In the afternoon you will experience some of the ultimate magic of the Top End with a special driving and walking tour beside two magnificent billabongs deep in the bush on the vast Opium Creek private reserve. Accommodation: Point Stuart Wilderness Lodge (tonight and tomorrow night = 2 nights total) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Potential wildlife sightings today: Agile wallabies abound in the Mary River catchment and this is one of the best places to see the largest kangaroo in the Top End – the Antilopine Kangaroo which moves around in small family groups through the endless savannah woodlands. Dingoes regularly roam the savannah searching out prey and carrion. Opium Creek is a refuge for the Australian Bustard and the Brolga. The Rose-crowned Fruit-dove is often heard and occassionally seen in the monsoon forest and the Pied Imperial-pigeon often bursts out of the forests canopies. Hundreds – and sometimes thousands – of Little Corellas fill the trees during the heat of the day and come down to feed and drink in the evening. One of the most unusual and spectacular birds in this area is Channel-billed cuckoo, a very large cuckoo which is most often see hurtling across the sky at high speed.

Mary River National Park

Crocodiles in the Wild in a wetland wilderness.

The Mary River is famous for its abundant wildlife including some of the largest crocodiles in the world. These tough reptiles have outlived the dinosaurs. The Freshwater Crocodile is reclusive and will usually flee from humans. On the other hand the Estuarine (Saltwater) Crocodile can be an unpredictable and dangerous creature. Both are magnificent and regal animal and, if treated with respect, they can be seen at very close quarters. This morning we can see crocodiles in their natural environment as we travel in a specially constructed boat to view them – and lots of other wildlife – on the Mary River. With luck you will see numerous large Saltwater Crocodiles and some smaller Freshwater Crocodiles. You’ll also see an unbelievable variety of birds including White-bellied Sea Eagles – the Mary River is famed for its abundance of this raptor which may be seen nesting beside the waterways. Lunch will be a picnic on high land overlooking the huge Mary River catchment. Late today we head as far north as we can go where the Mary River becomes a vast delta and floodplain 15 kilometres from the sea. In this remote location – surrounded by wildlife of all kinds – we enjoy our final sunset looking out over the waters of the Mary River. Huge Saltwater crocodiles often swim lazily (and safely) nearby. As the night rises we head back to the Lodge for dinner. Accommodation: Point Stuart Wilderness Lodge Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Potential wildlife sightings today: The Mary River is home to just about every tropical bird in Australia and, as much of the catchment is relatively undisturbed, we often see large numbers of individual species. Some specials are: finches of many types including the increasingly rare Gouldian Finch, numerous raptors including the Black-breasted Buzzard and some very special owls ie. Rufous and Barking Owls, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Brahminy Kite, Falcons (Hobby, Brown, Black and Kestrel). Birds of the waterways include: Little and Azure Kingfisher, Black Bittern, all the Australian egrets, Glossy Ibis, Jabiru Stork, Brolga and much much more. The Mary is one of the prime places on earth to see crocodiles of two species plus we may see turtles, fish and other fresh and saltwater species

The wonders of Bird Billabong – Point Stuart to Darwin

Today after an early breakfast we head out into the bush before sunrise for our last special Northern Territory wildlife walk at Bird Billabong in the Mary River National Park. This large wetland – unlike any others we have visited – is nestled beside Mt Bundy Range, an ancient granite outcrop in the middle of the Mary River catchment. Thousands of birds move to this billabong as the surrounding country dries after the monsoon season. Every conceivable species of bird move across the water in huge multi-species skeins fishing and squabbling. The surrounding savannah is home to hundreds of wallabies that appear at every turn of the walking track. Raptors regularly visit in search of prey, creating havoc as they fly over the wetland. This is one of the wildlife tour highlights of the Top End. After a relaxing morning walk we’ll depart to Darwin having lunch on en-route. You will be dropped at your accommodation in Darwin OR we can arrange transfers to Darwin Airport if you are flying out today. Accommodation: not included (by others if required in Darwin) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Potential wildlife sightings today: even if you have only a mild passing interest in birds, Bird Billabong is spectacular. You cannot help but be impressed. This wetland often contains huge numbers of whistling-ducks (both Plumed and Wandering), Spoonbills, Ibis, Magpie Geese and Pygmy Geese amongst many others. Jabiru often appear. Great Bowerbirds build their bowers in the nearby grasslands and are often seen and heard around the billabong. Near the granite range we often see the elusive Black-tailed Treecreeper and have also seen the northern form of the Southern Boobook owl. A variety of finches are also seen in the grasslands.

Where to begin?! Such an incredible time! We saw a mama koala holding a baby. Then we went out in the bush and must have seen 100 kangaroos! I would definitely recommend this tour!

kristendantus, California USADecember 3, 2018

The respect of the animals they have makes this

This was the highlight of my visit to Australia. I am a big animal lover and this does not disappoint. Dan our guide was the best. I love shooting photos of wildlife in the wild running free ..as it should be. We got to see Kangaroos, possum, birds and Koalas.

Gary B, Colorado USANovember 21, 2018

3 d Great Ocean Road: The highlight of our trip to Australia

The highlight of our trip to AU was this three day tour. The company, Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours, has a strong investment in the area and is directly responsible for koala protection and identification. BUT, beyond the organization itself, our three day tour with Brett and Dan was exceptional.

What an amazing day! Our guide Brett was amazing. We saw over 100 kangaroos! He knew how to approach them, described their body language/behavior very well. I would definitely recommend this company and tour and Brett!

geemail4me, Texas USAJune 2, 2018

Koalas & Kangaroos: a real connection to the environment

The company has a real connection to the preservation of the environment, a fantastic bonus for us. We were excited to help out whenever we weren’t finding koalas in the trees. I was impressed that they were able to communicate with the koala database and tell us exactly which koala we were looking at up in the tree.

Gretchen M, California USAMay 27, 2018

Koalas & Kangaroos: Highlight of our trip

The best part of the day was being with the wild kangaroos. Our guide was wonderful at instructing us to move quietly and slowly which allowed us to observe the kangaroos as they relaxed, grazed or hopped around. It was a highlight of our trip.

nshawfield, North Carolina USAMay 20, 2018

Koalas & Kangaroos: A must-do

This is a must-do. Echidna Walkabout studies koalas in their natural environment and has a lot to teach us about how koalas and other wildlife should be treated. My daughters and I really enjoyed the day.